New Orleans Style Read Beans Rice with Sausage

Chop the onion if desired. Drain the can of kidney beans into a measuring cup, and then add enough water to make 2 cups total. Add the water/bean mixture, salt, red pepper, black pepper, paprika, and hot sauce (or vinegar) to a large saucepot, and turn onto medium heat. In a large pan, put the sausages and turn to medium, turning every 3 - 5 minutes (just blackening on a side). When water boils, add the rice, beans, and onion, cover, and turn to low heat to simmer. Stir every 5 minutes or so. When the sausage has been cooked on all sides, take out of pan and slice into 1/4" - 1/2" thick pieces, and add to the pot. When the rice is tender to the bite (fully cooked) or nearly so, add the tomatoes, including the liquid from the can. Cook an additional 5 minutes.